IdiomFood & Drink
Swahili
SwahiliMvumilivu hula mbivu
Meaning: Patience is rewarded.
Literally: The patient one eats the ripe fruit
Example: “Alisubiri miaka mitano kupata kazi hiyo; mvumilivu hula mbivu.” — She waited five years for that job; good things come to those who wait.
English equivalent: Good things come to those who wait
Origin: Mvumilivu is the patient one and mbivu ripe fruit, and the two words rhyme. The Swahili proverb says that whoever can wait gets to eat the fruit when it is ripe: patience is rewarded.
More Swahili idioms
- Haraka haraka haina baraka Haste makes waste.
- Mtaka cha mvunguni sharti ainame You must work and humble yourself for what you want.
- Penye nia pana njia Determination always finds a path.
- Kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa You cannot do everything alone.
- Chovya chovya humaliza buyu la asali Small indulgences add up to a big loss.
- Mgaagaa na upwa hali wali mkavu Effort and initiative are always rewarded.
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